Every year, U.S Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa selects 10 young Iowans to nominate to each of the U.S. Service Academies including the Military Academy at West Point, the Air Force Academy, the Naval Academy and the Merchant Marine Academy. Grassley encourages Iowa students to consider applying to all of the U.S. service academies because each one has different qualifications and a student who may be medically disqualified for one academy may be eligible for another. Iowa students also should seek recommendations from Senator Joni Ernst and their representatives in the U. S. House of Representatives.

"The academies offer some of the best o[options for a higher education as well as an outstanding way to serve our country. It's a tremendous opportunity for young Iowans," Grassley said.

To seek a nomination from Grassley, Iowa applicants should download and complete an application. The additional materials that need to be included are as follows:

- A letter of recommendation from their school guidance counselor or alternate administrative school officials, high school Transcript, a letter of recommendation from a teacher

- Two additional letters of recommendations from Iowans

-The applicant's ACT score, which must bed sent directly to Grassley's office in Des Moines by ACT. The identification number for the ACT is 7129 and the identification for the SAT is 6260.